Nissan LEAF to the Rescue in Europe

ROLLE, Switzerland – Law enforcement teams, firefighters and medics across Europe are adopting Nissan LEAF - the world's most popular electric vehicle - as a key frontline emergency support vehicle.

Emergency services in Portugal, France, UK and Switzerland have deployed LEAFs as community support vehicles, with a number of other countries considering making the switch to battery power in 2013.

Jean-Pierre Diernaz, Director of Electric Vehicles, Europe said: "Emergency first responders and law enforcement communities rely heavily on their vehicles. The fact that so many forces across Europe are choosing Nissan LEAF for urban-based community support roles shows how significant zero emissions and low running costs - fuel and maintenance - have become. As well as helping to save the environment, vastly reduced fuel bills mean a fleet of Nissan LEAFs can make a serious contribution to a bottom line, making budget savings that can be reinvested in supporting the communities in which they serve."

Fittingly, French community nurse Sylvie Lailler in June purchased the milestone 10,000th Nissan LEAF to arrive in Europe since sales began in March 2011. She uses her LEAF to make daily house visits to elderly patients near the north west of Paris.

The multi-award winning LEAF has been chosen by the various first responders for differing reasons, but they all cite the car's zero emissions credentials as the most important motivation for the switch from conventional gasoline and diesel cars.

The first force in the world to go electric was Portugal's PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública), which has been running eight Nissan LEAFs as part of its Safe School Program for the last year. Fitted with blue flashing lights, sirens and clear "Polícia" markings they can also perform other police duties at any time.

Superintendent Paul Gomes Valente, National Director of PSP, said: "We pride ourselves in being the first police force in the world to incorporate cars with zero-emission technology as part of our 5,000 vehicle fleet. We want to continue contributing to the reduction in pollution in large urban centers and the introduction of the 100 percent electric Nissan LEAF sets a new benchmark for our fleet."

In the UK, West Midlands Police have placed an order for 30 Nissan LEAFs for use by its officers to visit victims of crime and attend other pre-arranged meetings as "diary cars." Averaging around 70 kms a day - well within a full charge range - these LEAFs allow the force to free-up its vehicle fleet for other vital crime-fighting duties.

Bob Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands Police said: "The LEAFs fit in perfectly with our operational requirements and will significantly cut our fuel costs while also reducing our carbon footprint."

The Police Municipal in the Swiss town of Meyrin, 10km north of Geneva, has also adopted the zero emissions car, which forms part of force's daily patrol fleet in the local community.  The LEAF was purchased from the local Nissan dealer, which continues to support the police force by providing full access to their charging facilities. Monsieur Pierre-Alain Tschudi, explains: "The commune of Meyrin recently set a goal, as part of its political agenda, to reduce its carbon footprint. In support of this initiative we decided to incorporate electric vehicles into our patrol fleet, thus not only reducing our CO2 emissions, but equally our noise pollution. Their presence has created a discussion point in and around the community, raising awareness of the importance of zero emissions."

In Scotland, the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) has taken delivery of two Nissan LEAFs for community work. As well as environmental gains, the force is keen to save money. The move not only saves SPSA money but also supports ambitious plans set out by the Scottish Government to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Meanwhile, to accommodate its new fleet of Nissan LEAFs, the UK's County Durham Fire and Rescue Service has ensured its new headquarters currently under construction at Belmont, Country Durham, is EV friendly. Three charging points are planned as the service looks to further expand its environmental commitment by adding more electric vehicles to its fleet.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 236,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of over 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

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Contact

Gareth Dean
Zero Emissions/EV Communications
gareth.dean@nissan.co.uk
+44 (0)7972 188625